Applicator device



July 4, 1961 E. DAVIDSON APPLICATOR DEVICE Filed Dec. 3, 1958 FIG.

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ATTORNEYS United States Patent 2,990,563 APPLICATOR DEVICE Emil Davidson, Scarsdale, N.Y., assignor to Guild Molders, Inc., Elmsford, N.Y. Filed Dec. 3, 1958, Ser. No. 778,002 8 'Claims. ('Cl. -518) The present invention relates generally to devices for applying liquids to surfaces, and particularly to an improved applicator device for applying liquids such as medications and cosmetics to areas of the skin.

The variety of possible shapes of injured areas of skin to which it may be desired to apply liquid medication is quite large, and it is therefore desirable that an applicator be provided which as adapted to transfer liquid medication from a bottle and deposit it quickly and conveniently over as great a variety of differently shaped and sized areas as possible. Devices heretofore employed have utilized rounded applicator ends formed upon an applicator body made of a relatively inflexible material and having a fixed size and shape. Such rounded shape is well adapted for touching small dots of medication to the skin, but the range of larger sized dots which can be deposited is somewhat limited, since the maximum size of dot which can be touched to the skin is largely dependent upon the fixed size of the relatively inflexible rounded applicator end. For painting broad stripes of medication onto the skin, the side surface of an elongated applicator has been used, but the amount of liquid which can be retained on the surface of an applicator is rather limited. Thus only a fairly small area can be painted in any one loading of the applicator, which necessitates frequently repeated loading of the applicator and defeats the objective of quick, convenient application. It is also known to form an applicator end with a narrow capillary adapted to retain therein on each loading of the applicator a greater quantity of liquid than could be retained on the surface. However, such capillaries generally have a small opening through the surface of the applicator in the shape of a dot or other small area at the applicator end through which to deposit the liquid. They are therefore no better adapted for painting broad stripes or other large areas quickly and conveniently than non-capillary applicators, even though they may be capable of retaining sufiicient liquid therefor. They are also generally inflexible and thus subject to the same disadvantage as the aforementioned applicators, in that a capillary applicator is also limited in respect of the range of sizes of dots which it can deposit owing to the fixed size of both the applicator end and the opening of the capillary therethrough.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention broadly to solve one or more of the aforesaid problems, and in particular to provide an improved applicator device which is adapted to retain a relatively large quantity of liquid, and to deposit it in many different ways over a wide variety of sizes and shapes of injured areas of skin.

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment demonstrating features, advantages, and further objects of the present invention, there is provided an applicator fabricated of a flexible material comprising an elongated body having a substantially cylindrical applicator surface and terminating in a plurality of elongated flexible applicator elements extending axially of said applicator body and having tips cooperating to define an applicator end. The applicator elements are spaced apart and have confronting sides defining therebetween a plurality of elongated capillary slots extending axially of the cylindrical applicator body from the applicator end thereof to a location spaced from the applicator end. The capillary slots are spaced peripherally about the cylindrical applicator body and extend inward from the cylindrical surface thereof, meeting axially thereof.

Patented July 4, 1961 ing to define a central capillary chamber which opens through the applicator end.

The above brief description, as well as further features, objects, arid advantages of the present invention, may best be appreciated by reference to the following detailed specification, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded front elevational view of a first illustrative embodiment of a bottle and applicator assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional View of a bottle, cap, and applicator removed from the bottle and applicator assembly of FIG. 1 taken along the lines 22 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view on a larger scale of an applicator removed from the cap and bottle of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of a bottle and applicator assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view, with parts sectioned, of a cap and applicator removed from the bottle and ap plicator assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view on an enlarged scale of an applicator removed from the bottle and cap of FIG. 5; and,

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an applicator in accordance with the present invention in operation.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 1 through 3 of the drawings, which show a first illustrative embodiment of the invention, the numeral 10 designates generally a bottle and applicator assembly including a squeeze-bottle 12 fabricated of a flexible material and adapted to contain therein a supply of a liquid L which it is desired to transfer therefrom, as for example a liquid medication to be applied'to the skin. Polyethylene plastic is an example of an excellent material of which to fabricate the squeezebottle 12, since it combines toughness and flexibility with a high degree of chemical resistance to the various medications which may be placed in contact therewith. The assembly 10 further includes a cap 14 for closing the squeeze-bottle 12, a nozzle-type applicator 16 for transferring quantities of the liquid L from the supply contained in squeeze-bottle 12 'for application to an injured area of skin, and a cover 18 for protecting the applicator 16 and preventing accidental loss of liquid L when the assembly 10 is not in use. The squeeze bottle 12 includes a container body 20 in which the supply of liquid L is contained, and a cylindrical neck 22 defining an opening 24 into the squeeze-bottle. The cap 14 includes disk body 26 and a cylindrical skirt 28 depending from the periphery thereof sized to fit closely over the cylindrical upper neck 22. The internal surface of the skirt 28 and the external surface of neck 22 are provided with mating threads 28a and 22a respectively for threaded engagement therebetween -for closing the squeeze-bottle 12. The disk body 26 of cap 14 is provided with a cylindrical bore 30 communicating with the interior of the squeeze-bottle 1 2.

The applicator '16 is also fabricated of a flexible material such as polyethylene plastic and includes an elongated applicator body 32 having a substantially cylindrical applicator surface 32a, an inner end 32b, and an outer end 32c. The outer end 32c terminates in four elongated flexible nibs or applicator elements 34 extend- The applicator elements 34 have tips 34a formed substantially as spaced segments of a hemispherical surface which cooperate to define a substantially hemispherical applicator end at the outerjend 32c of the applicator body 32. The applicator elements 34 are spaced apart from each other and have substantially parallel confronting sides 34b. Each pair of the confronting sides 34b of adjacent applicator elements 34 defines therebetween an elongated capillary slot 36 extending axially of the cylindrical applicator body 32 from the applicator end thereof to a terminating location spaced from the applicator end 320. Four such capillary slits 36 are so defined, and are spaced peripherally about the cylindrical applicator body 32, extending substantially radially inward from the cylindrical surface 32a thereof so that they all meet substantially along the longitudinal axis thereof to define a central capiliary chamber 40 opening through the applicator end substantially at the highest prominence of the hemispherical surface thereof. The inner end 32b of the applicator body 32 and the bore of cap 14 are sized for a force fit therebetween. For mounting the applicator 16 on cap 14, the inner end 32b is inserted into the bore 30, the force fit therebetween insuring that the applicator body 32 will plug the bore 30 to prevent loss of liquid L therethrough. The inner end 32b of applicator body 32 is formed with a conduit 42 one end of which communicates with the interior of squeeze-bottle 12 through opening 24- of neck 22, so that when the squeeze-bottle 12 is held with the neck 22 thereof lowermost to allow the liquid L to flow through opening 24 and against the inner end 32b of the applicator body 32 the liquid L is enabled to emerge through conduit 42 in response to squeezing of the container body 20 of squeeze-bottle 12. The other end of the conduit 42 communicates with the central capillary chamber and then through the central capillary chamber 40 with the four capillary slots 36 for transferring thereto the liquid L which emerges from the squeeze-bottle 12 through conduit 42. The outer end 32c of the applicator body 32 protrudes from cap 14 for use in applying the liquid L transferred thereto to any desired surface. For covering the protruding outer end 32c to prevent accidental loss of liquid L there is provided a frusto-conically shaped cover 18 which is illustrated in FIG. 1 in exploded relationship to the rest of the assembly 10, and a circular stepped-up tier 44 formed on the disk body 26 of cap 14 which has a peripheral flange 46 projecting sidewardly therefrom. The cover 18 includes a circular lower portion 48 sized for a snap fit over the flange 46 and a tall upper portion 50 standing high enough to clear the outer end 320 of the applicator body 32 to prevent deformation thereof when the lower portion 48 is snapped over flange 46. Thus, the cover 18 can be readily secured to cap 14 by being snapped into engagement therewith for covering the applicator 16 in spaced relation from the protruding outer end 32c to prevent accidental loss of liquid when the bottle and applicator assembly 10 is not in use, and can be readily removed therefrom by being snapped out of engagement therewith when it is desired to use the bottle and applicator assembly 10.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 4 through 6 of the drawings, which show a second illustrative embodiment of the invention, the numeral designates generally another bottle and applicator assembly including a bottle 62 adapted to contain therein a supply of liquid L, a cap 64 for closing the bottle 62, and a dip-type applicator 66 depending from the cap 64. The cap 64 may be provided with internal means such as threads 64a adapted to cooperate with mating external threads or other means (not shown) on bottle 62' for closing thereof, and a projection 68 for securing the applicator 66 in depending relationship thereto. The applicator 66 is also fabricated of a flexible material such as polyethylene plastic and includes an elongated applicator body 132 having a substantially cylindrical applicator surface 132a, and inner end 132b, and an outer end 1320. The inner end 13% terminates in a conical extension 70 having a detent 72 therein adapted to receive projection 68 of the cap 64. The detent 72 and the projection 68 are sized for a force fit therebetween for holding the applicator 66 in depending relationship to cap 64. The conical extension 70 is formed with a peripheral flange 74 extending sidewardly therefrom adjacent the cap 64 to serve as a cap liner. The outer end 132a is identical with the outer end 32c of applicator body 32, terminating in four elongated flexible nibs or applicator elements 134 having tips 134a formed substantially as spaced segments of a hemispherical surface cooperating to define a substantially hemispherical applicator end at the outer end 1320 of the applicator body 132, with the applicator elements 134 being spaced apart and having substantially parallel confronting sides 134b defining therebetween four elongated capillary slots 136 extending axially of the cylindrical applicator body 132 from the applicator end thereof to a location spaced therefrom, being spaced peripherally about the cylindrical applicator body 132, and extending substantially radially inward from the cylindrical surface 132a thereof to meet substantially along the longitudinal axis thereof and define a central capillary tube 140 opening through the applicator end substantially at the highest prominence of the hemispherical surface thereof. The correspondence between the parts of the two applicators 16 and 66 is emphasized in the drawings by the numbering of corresponding parts with corresponding reference numerals having identical tens and units digits, these being distinguishable in that the reference numerals relating to applicator 16 belong to the tens series and those relating to applicator 66 belong to the one hundred series. The dip-type applicator 66, however, lacks a conduit corresponding to conduit 42 of the nozzle-type applicator 16, applicator 66 being loaded by dipping the outer end 1320 thereof into the reservoir of liquid L contained in bottle 62 rather than by introducing the liquid L through the inner end of the applicator as is done with nozzle-type applicator 16 when it is employed in conjunction with squeeze-bottle 12.

A variety of ways in which an applicator 16 or 66 in accordance with the present invention may be used tc apply the liquid L to a surface will now be described. Referring specifically to FIGS. 5 and 7, surface S represents any surface upon which it is desired to deposit a liquid L. First an applicator 16 in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention is loaded by inverting and squeezing the squeeze-bottle 12, or an applicator 66 in accordance with second embodiment is loaded by dipping it into the reservoir in bottle 62. The capillary slots 36 or 136 and central capillary chamber 40 or 140 thereof will then retain a reservoir of liquid L in the manner illustrated by FIGS. 5 and 7. In order to deposit on surface S the smallest possible dot D of liquid L, the applicator is touched lightly to surface S with the applicator body 32 or 132 held substantially perpendicular thereto, as illustrated by FIG. 5. In this way only the highest prominence of the hemispherical applicator end is allowed to contact surface S, so that the liquid L will be transferred to the surface S only from the opening of central capillary chamber 40 or 140 which is located at that highest prominence, and the size of the dot D is restricted as much as possible. In order to increase the size of the dot in any selected direction the applicator 16 or 66 may then be tilted in that direction relative to the surface S, as illustrated by P16. 7, thus bringing into contact with surface S a more sidewardly located area of the applicator end than the highest prominence thereof, which serves to spread the dot toward that area. In addition, the cylindrically shaped applicator body 32 or 132 may be rotated about its longitudinal axis until the sidewardly located area of the applicator end contacting surface S coincides with the opening of one of the capillary slots 36 or 136 through the applicator end, which makes the portion of the reservoir of the liquid L retained in that particular capillary slot 36 or 136 immediately available to increase the flow of liquid L into the extension of the dot being deposited on surface S. Further increases in dot size may be achieved by pressing the applicator end more firmly against the surface S so as to-bring a greater proportion of the area of the applicator end into contact therewith. Still further increases may be achieved by pressing the applicator 16 or 66 still more firmly against the surface S to flex the nibs or applicator elements 34 or 134, spreading them apart to present a larger effective applicator end and thus to contact a still larger area of surface 8 while at the same time causing them to suffer a decrease in their ability to retain liquid L. This both increases the flow of liquid L onto surface S and distributes it over a Wider area. The increase in the dot size will be proportional to the spreading of the applicator elements 34 or 134, which in turn will be a function of the force with which the applicator 16 or 66 is pressed against the surface S. Thus the dot size can be controlled by the operator by selective adjustment of this force. Further, whether this extension of the dot takes place in a particular direction or symmetrically depends upon whether the applicator 16 or 66, as it is pressed more firmly against surface S, is slanted relative thereto in the manner illustrated by FIG. 7, or is held substantially per-pendicular thereto in the manner illustrated by FIG. 5. This is also controllable by the operator. -In order to paint a broad stripe, the applicator body 32 or 132 is turned on its side and the cylindrical surface 32a or 132a thereof is applied to surface S, the applicator body 32 or 132 then being rotated about its longitudinal axis until the portion of cylindrical surface 32a or 132a in contact with surface S coincides with the opening of one of the capillary slots 36 or 136 therethrough. The applicator 16 or 66 is then wiped along surface S in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of applicator body 32 or 132 to paint on surface S a stripe which has a width equal to the axial length of the capillary slots 36 or 136 and a length extending in the direction of the wipe which is equal either to the length of the wipe or to the longest wipe which can be made before the applicator 16 or 66 exhausts its reservoir of liquid L and must be reloaded.

Advantageously, an applicator in accordance with the present invention can store a relatively large reservoir of liquid L on each loading thereof, since it has, in addition to the central capillary chamber, four capillary slots in which to store liquid L, each of which because of its slotlike shape has a greater capacity than a capillary tube having a comparable thickness but a cylindrical shape. In addition, this relatively large reservoir of liquid L is made available for application to surface S at elongated openings of the capillary slots through the cylindrical applicator surf-ace, a dot-shaped opening of the central capillary chamber through theapplicator end, or slotshaped openings of the capillary slots therethrough, as the operator may select.

Further, the multiplicity of storage compartments provided by the central capillary chamber and the capillary slots are all interconnected so that the central capillary chamber and the capillary slots not in contact with surface S all feed their respective charges of liquid L to the particular one of their number which is in contact therewith unt-ilthe entire charge of the applicator is deposited upon surface. S. Thus, a considerably longer stripe can be painted for any one loading of the applicatonthe frequency with which the. applicator must be reloaded is reduced, and less time and fewer motions are required. When this is considered in conjunction with the variation ofshape and size of dotswhich can be achieved by reason of the variability of the effective size and shape of the applicator end, it will be appreciated that with an applicator device in accordance with the present invention a great quantity of liquid can be deposited on a surface in more ways and over a greater variety of shapes and sizes of areas of that surface with great economy or time and motion, all of which adds up to an applicator device which is easier and more convenient to operate.

Although the specific illustrative embodiment described herein includes four'quadrantal applicator elements and four radial capillary slots, it is apparent that without depar-ting from the spirit of the present invention an applicator could be constructed with only two semi-circular applicator elements defining therebetween only two radial capillary slots meeting centrally to define a capillary chamber, in which case the capillary slots and capillary chamber would all be in alignment so as to constitute a single diametral slot lacking any sharply defined radial or central section.

A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.

What I claim is:

1. An applicator fabricated of a flexible material comprising an elongated applicator body having a substantially cylindrical applicator surface and terminating in a plurality of elongated flexible applicator elements extending axially of said applicator body and having tips cooperating to define an applicator end, said applicator elements being spaced apart and having confronting sides defining therebetween a plurality of elongated capillary slots extending axially of said cylindrical applicator body from said applicator end thereof to a location spaced from said applicator end, said capillary slots being spaced peripherally about said applicator body and extending inward from said cylindrical surface thereof and meeting to define a central capillary chamber opening through said applicator end.

2. An applicator fabricated of a flexible material comprising an elongated applicator body having a substantially cylindrical applicator surface and terminating in a plurality of elongated flexible applicator elements extending axially of said applicator body and having curved tips cooperating to define a rounded applicator end, said applicator elements being spaced apart and having substantially parallel confronting sides defining therebetween a plurality of elongated capillary slots extending axially of said cylindrical applicator body from said applicator end thereof to a location spaced from said applicator end, said capillary slots being spaced peripherally about said cylindrical applicator body and extending substantially radially inward from said cylindrical surface thereof and meeting substantially along the axis thereof to define a central capillary chamber opening through said applicator end.

3. An applicator fabricated of a flexible material comprising an elongated applicator body having a substantially cylindrical applicator surface and terminating in a plurality of elongated flexible applicator elements extending axially of said applicator body and having tips formed substantially as spaced segments of a hemispherical surface cooperating to define a substantially hemispherical applicator end, said applicator elements being spaced apart and having substantially parallel confronting sides defining therebetween a plurality of elongated capillary slot-s extending axially of said cylindrical applicator body from said applicator end thereof to a location spaced from said applicator end, said capillary slots being spaced peripherally about said cylindrical applicator body and extending substantially radially inward from said cylindrical surface thereof and meeting substantially along the axis thereof to define a central capillary chamber opening through said applicator end.

4. For use with a bottle adapted to contain a supply of liquid and a cap adapted to close said bottle, a dip-type applicator fabricated of a flexible material comprising an elongated applicator body having a substantially cylindrical applicator surface and terminating in a plurality of elongated flexible applicator elements extending axially of said applicator body and having tips formed substantially as spaced segments of a hemispherical surface cooperating to define a substantially hemispherical applicator end, said applicator elements being spaced apart and having substantially parallel confronting sides defining therebetween a plurality of elongated capillary slots extending axially of said cylindrical applicator body from said applicator end thereof to a location spaced from said applicator end, said capillary slots being spaced peripherally about said cylindrical applicator body and extending substantially radially inward from said cylindrical surface thereof and meeting substantially along the axis thereof to define a central capillary chamber opening through said applicator end, said applicator depending from said cap for dipping into said bottle.

5. For use with a bottle adapted to contain a supply of liquid, an applicator fabricated of a flexible material comprising an elongated applicator body having a substantially cylindrical applicator surface and terminating in a plurality of elongated flexible applicator elements extending axially of said applicator body and having tips formed substantially as spaced segments of a hemispherical surface cooperating to define a substantially hemispherical applicator end, said applicator elements being spaced apart and having substantially parallel confronting sides defining therebetween a plurality of elongated capillary slots extending axially of said cylindrical applicator body from said applicator end thereof to a location spaced from said applicator end, said capillary slots being spaced peripherally about said cylindrical applicator body and extending substantially radially inward from said cylindrical surface thereof and meeting substantially along the axis thereof to define a central capillary chamber opening through said applicator end, and means for connecting said central capillary chamber in communication with said bottle.

6. In combination with a bottle adapted to contain a supply of liquid, an applicator fabricated of a flexible material comprising an elongated applicator body having a substantially cylindrical applicator surface and terminating in a plurality of elongated flexible applicator elements extending axially of said applicator body and having tips formed substantially as spaced segments of a hemispherical surface cooperating to define a substantially hemispherical applicator end, said applicator elements being spaced apart and having substantially parallel confronting sides defining therebetween a plurality of elongated capillary slots extending axially of said cylindrical applicator body from said applicator end thereof to a location spaced from said applicator end, said capillary slots being spaced peripherally about said cylindrical applicator body and extending substantially radially inward from said cylindrical surface thereof and meeting substantially along the axis thereof to define a central capillary chamber opening through said applicator end, and means for connecting said central capillary chamber in communication with said bottle.

7. In combination with a bottle adapted to contain a supply of liquid and a cap adapted to close said bottle and having a bore communicating with said bottle, an applicator adapted for applying said liquid to surfaces, said applicator being fabricated of a flexible material and comprising an elongated applicator body having a substantially cylindrical applicator surface and an inner and an outer end, said outer end thereof terminating in a plurality of elongated flexible applicator elements extending axially of said applicator body and having tips formed substantially as spaced segments of a hemispherical surface cooperat- 8 ing to define a substantially hemispherical applicator end, said applicator elements being spaced apart and having substantially parallel confronting sides defining therebetween a plurality of elongated capillary slots extending axially of said, cylindrical applicator body from said applicator end thereof to a location spaced from said applicator end, said capillary slots being spaced peripherally about said cylindrical applicator body and extending substantially radially inward from said cylindrical surface thereof and meeting substantially along the axis thereof to define a central capillary chamber opening through said applicator end, said inner end of said applicator body being inserted in said bore of said cap and being formed with a conduit one end of which communicates with said bottle for emergence of said liquid therethrough and the other end of which communicates with said central capillary chamber for transferring said liquid thereto, said outer end of said applicator body protruding from said cap.

8. For use with a bottle adapted to contain a supply of liquid, a cap adapted to close said bottle and having a bore communicating with said bottle, and a cover, an applicator adapted for applying said liquid to surfaces, said applicator being fabricated of a flexible material and comprising an elongated applicator body having a substantially cylindrical applicator surface and an inner and an outer end, said outer end thereof terminating in a plurality of elongated flexible applicator elements extending axially of said applicator body and having tips formed substantially as spaced segments of a hemispherical surface cooperating to define a substantially hemispherical applicator end, said applicator elements being spaced apart and having substantially parallel confronting sides defining therebetween a plurality of elongated capillary slots extending axially of said cylindrical applicator body from said applicator end thereof to a location spaced from said applicator end, said capillary slots being spaced peripherally about said cylindrical applicator body and extending substantially radially inward from said cylindrical surface thereof and meeting substantially along the axis thereof to define a central capillary chamber opening through said applicator end, said inner end of said applicator body being inserted in said bore of said cap and being formed with a conduit one end of which communicates with said bottle for emergence of said liquid therethrough and the other end of which communicates with said central capillary chamber for transferring said liquid thereto, said outer end of said applicator body protruding from said cap, said cover being adapted to be secured to said cap for covering said protruding outer end of said applicator body in spaced relationship therefrom to prevent accidental loss of said liquid.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 168,109 Sawyer Sept. 28, 1875 209,716 Sachs Nov. 5, 1878 1,839,548 Gimonet Ian. 5, 1932 1,985,703 Wheaton Dec. 25, 1934 2,344,471 Moreland Mar. 14, 1944 2,360,457 Wells Oct. 17, 1944 2,681,463 Gordon June 22, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 45,987 Denmark July 25, 1932 

